혁신 클러스터의 네트워크 구조 및 정책 개선방안 연구

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Studies on R&D Networks of Innovation Clusters and Policy Implications

ㆍProject Leader: Mi-Ae Jung
ㆍParticipants: Sunwoo Kim·Wooseok Jin·Seongho Hwang·Jieun Kim

Since the 2000s, innovation clusters in Korea have been strategically developed as part of national policy. While numerous innovation clusters have been established and new policies for fostering high-tech industries continue to emerge, there is growing recognition that domestic innovation clusters need to evolve beyond mere physical aggregation of companies and related organizations. Instead, they should function as spaces where knowledge and resources are exchanged, creating collective value. However, there remains a lack of research on the network structures necessary to form the foundation of innovation clusters and on the conditions under which such networks can enhance the competitive advantage of cluster firms. This study aims to identify the structural elements of innovation networks essential for the advancement of innovation clusters and to propose policy improvement measures.
This research focuses on R&D collaboration networks, a core network type within innovation clusters, and examines the BT (biotechnology) and IT (information technology) clusters in Daedeok and Pangyo. The study identifies the structural elements of networks that influence cluster performance and analyzes how participation in national R&D projects affects corporate performance. By developing an analytical understanding of these relationships, the study seeks to propose directions for improving cluster policies.
The research questions are as follows:
1) What are the characteristics and structural elements of R&D networks that influence corporate performance?
1-1) What types of entities constitute the network, and where are the central institutions within the network?
1-2) Do R&D networks formed through national R&D projects impact the performance of firms within the cluster?
2) How does knowledge dissemination occur through networks, and how does it contribute to corporate performance?
2-1) What factors facilitate the formation of networks and the dissemination of knowledge through these networks?
2-2) How do government R&D programs, cluster policies, and intermediary organizations affect R&D collaboration and networks?
3) How should policies be improved to enhance innovation cluster performance? What are the improvement tasks for physical infrastructure, intermediary organizations, R&D support programs, and networking initiatives within clusters?

Chapter 2 reviews theories and concepts regarding the structure of R&D networks and their relationship to geographic clusters, as well as socio-economic research on corporate innovation performance. While physical proximity can facilitate knowledge exchange, many studies have shown that it is not an absolute factor in forming collaborative relationships. Prior research emphasizes that innovation clusters thrive and grow when informal knowledge exchanges within the cluster are complemented by intentional collaboration networks with external entities. High-clustering networks are particularly advantageous for knowledge dissemination, and hubs within the cluster can play a pivotal role in facilitating knowledge exchange and innovation. Collaborative relationships based on such networks have been shown to positively impact innovation performance.
Chapter 3 analyzes the regional structure of collaboration networks in national R&D projects involving SMEs in the BT and IT fields and examines the impact of firm networks and location on innovation performance. The analysis revealed a significant concentration of participating institutions in the metropolitan area, especially in IT projects. In national R&D projects, universities and research institutes often act as structural gatekeepers within their regions. In the BT field, SMEs in Seongnam were more functionally connected to institutions in Seoul than clustered locally, despite the high number of firms in Seongnam. In contrast, SMEs in Daejeon showed stronger local collaborative relationships, indicating more clustering compared to Seongnam. In the IT field, some degree of local clustering was observed in Seongnam as well. Collaboration networks within national R&D projects were positively correlated with corporate innovation performance, as measured by patent filings. In IT projects, the number of collaborative partners had a positive impact even after accounting for firm-specific characteristics.
Chapter 4 investigates R&D collaboration and knowledge exchange practices, national R&D project participation, and cluster influences through interviews with BT and IT firms and related intermediary organizations in Daejeon and Seongnam (Pangyo area). Companies are actively engaging in long-distance and global collaborations to leverage complementary expertise and resources. Partner selection typically involves evaluating technological capabilities, relevant expertise, and business trust, often drawing on existing networks of executives and employees. Relationships from prior projects frequently extend into new collaborations. Companies exchange information through academic conferences, networking events, and voluntary knowledge-sharing groups. In the BT field, entrepreneurs utilize self-organized knowledge exchange groups and online networks to stay updated on technological trends. For startups and early-stage R&D projects, national R&D funding serves as a critical financial resource, fostering new relationships and strengthening existing ones. Cluster locations primarily enhance communication efficiency with nearby partners rather than forming entirely new relationships. Personal networks, often developed through schools or workplaces, provide the social infrastructure for collaboration and can evolve into broader corporate networks.
Social infrastructure, such as schools, large research institutes, co-working spaces, and startup support facilities, serves as a basis for forming personal networks that can later develop into corporate networks. Networking events and online platforms also contribute to this development by enabling diverse interactions unconstrained by time and space. Intermediary organizations and knowledge exchange groups can act as network brokers, promoting denser and more vibrant networks within clusters. With effective facilitators, these networks can further enhance knowledge exchange and collaboration.
Chapters 2, 3, and 4 collectively illustrate that R&D networks influencing corporate performance are multilayered structures. Social infrastructure plays a vital role in fostering personal networks, which form the foundation for corporate networks. By providing spaces for people to meet and form connections, infrastructure supports the development of relationships that can later evolve into collaborative networks. National R&D projects, though only a part of corporate R&D efforts, can strengthen existing inter-institutional relationships or create new ones. Regional universities and research institutes act as R&D hubs, connecting firms to larger networks, thus creating structural advantages that support corporate success. Multilayered corporate networks facilitate the convergence of knowledge and technologies, forming the basis for firm performance.

[Fig. 1] The Structure of Corporate R&D Networks and Performance

Although networks are not limited by regional boundaries, the location determines whom firms and individuals can meet and what information they exchange. The competitiveness of innovation clusters depends on whether firms can effectively access and utilize technical and business knowledge to drive growth. Based on the findings from the analysis of BT and IT firms' R&D networks, this study proposes the following policy recommendations for improving innovation cluster policies:
1) Transition toward network-centric innovation cluster policies.
2) Foster an organic ecosystem that incorporates multilayered networks.
3) Reform the management of national R&D projects to establish effective and practical collaboration networks and maximize technological innovation and research outcomes.
4) Develop strategic approaches to attract and retain talent in clusters through the utilization of networks.

국문 초록 (Abstract)

[연구목적]
○ 혁신 클러스터 발전 측면에서 혁신 네트워크의 구조적 요소를 도출하고 정책 개선방안을 제시함
- (지리적 범위) 대덕, 판교 클러스터를 대상으로 클러스터의 성과에 영향을 미치는 네트워크의 구조적 요소를 파악함
- (기술적 범위) BT, IT 분야에 초점을 둠
- (네트워크 유형) 지식 네트워크, 특히 R&D 협력 네트워크 및 국가연구개발사업 협력 네트워크의 영향을 탐색함

[주요내용]
○ 네트워크 및 혁신 클러스터 관련 이론 및 선행연구 검토
- 혁신 클러스터의 네트워크 구조 및 기업 성과에 대한 R&D 네트워크 효과에 대한 선행연구를 고찰
○ BT, IT 국가연구개발사업 협력 네트워크 분석 및 기업 성과 관계 분석
- 중소기업이 참여한 NTIS 협력 과제 정보를 활용하여 네트워크 구축, 네트워크 구조 분석 및 기업 특허 성과에 대한 영향 분석
○ BT, IT 기업의 R&D 협력과 지식 네트워크 사례 조사
- 대전 및 판교의 BT, IT 기업과 중간조직 관계자를 대상으로 인터뷰 수행, R&D 협력 네트워크 및 국가연구개발과제 참여 경험, 지식 교류 네트워크와 네트워킹 활동, 클러스터 영향에 대한 시사점 도출

[정책대안]
(1) 네트워크 중심의 혁신 클러스터 정책 전환
(2) 다층적 네트워크를 고려한 유기적 생태계 조성
(3) 네트워크를 고려한 국가연구개발사업 운영
(4) 네트워크를 활용한 클러스터의 인재 유치 및 유지 전략 강화

목차 (Table of Contents)

• 국문 요약 ⅰ
• 영문 요약 Ⅰ
• 제1장 서론 1
• 제1절 연구 배경과 목적 1
• 1. 연구 배경과 필요성 1
• 2. 연구 목적과 범위 5
• 제2절 연구 추진 체계 및 구성 7
• 제2장 혁신 클러스터와 R&D 네트워크 8
• 제1절 혁신 클러스터의 네트워크 구조 8
• 1. R&D 네트워크의 공간적 특성 8
• 2. 클러스터의 R&D 네트워크 구조 11
• 제2절 기업 성과에 대한 R&D 네트워크 효과 16
• 제3장 국가연구개발사업 협력 네트워크 분석 19
• 제1절 분석 개요 19
• 제2절 BT 과제 네트워크 구조 분석 22
• 1. 전국의 BT 과제 참여기관 및 입지 현황 22
• 2. BT 과제 협력관계 및 네트워크의 구조적 특성 24
• 3. 대전 및 성남 중소기업 참여 BT 과제 네트워크 비교 30
• 제3절 IT 과제 네트워크 구조 분석 35
• 1. 전국의 IT 과제 참여기관 및 입지 현황 35
• 2. IT 과제 협력관계 및 네트워크의 구조적 특성 38
• 3. 대전 및 성남 중소기업 참여 IT 과제 네트워크 비교 43
• 제4절 국가연구개발사업 협력 네트워크의 영향 48
• 1. 분석 개요 48
• 2. 분석 결과 50
• 제4장 기업의 R&D 협력과 지식 네트워크 조사 55
• 제1절 사례 조사 개요 55
• 제2절 기업의 R&D 협력 및 지식 교류 경험 57
• 1. R&D 협력 경험과 관계 형성 과정 57
• 2. 국가연구개발과제 참여 경험 59
• 3. 지식 교류 네트워크와 네트워킹 61
• 4. 지식 교류 및 기업 활동에 대한 클러스터 영향 63
• 5. 협력과 지식 교류에서 분야에 따른 차이 65
• 제3절 지식 교류회 및 네트워크 활성화 사례 67
• 1. 혁신신약살롱 68
• 2. 판교 퇴근길 밋업 69
• 제5장 결론 및 정책 과제 72
• 제1절 종합 정리 72
• 제2절 정책 과제 75
• 1. 네트워크 중심의 혁신 클러스터 정책 전환 75
• 2. 다층적 네트워크를 고려한 유기적 생태계 조성 76
• 3. 네트워크를 고려한 국가연구개발사업 운영 78
• 4. 네트워크를 활용한 클러스터의 인재 유치 및 유지 전략 강화 79
• 제3절 연구 한계 및 향후 과제 81
• 참고문헌 83
• 부록 89
• ｜Contents｜
• Summary (in Korean) i
• Summary (in English) I
• Chapter 1. Introduction 1
• 1. Research Background and Objectives 1
• 2. Research Framework and Structure 7
• Chapter 2. Innovation Clusters and R&D Networks 8
• 1. Network Structures of Innovation Clusters 8
• 2. Effects of R&D Networks on Corporate Performance 16
• Chapter 3. Analysis of Networks in National R&D Projects 19
• 1. Overview of the Analysis 19
• 2. Network Structure Analysis of BT Projects 22
• 3. Network Structure Analysis of IT Projects 35
• 4. Impact of Networks in National R&D Projects 48
• Chapter 4. Investigation of Corporate R&D Collaboration and Knowledge Networks 55
• 1. Overview of Case Studies 55
• 2. Corporate Experiences in R&D Collaboration and Knowledge Exchange 57
• 3. Case Studies on Knowledge Exchange Meetings and Network Activation 67
• Chapter 5. Conclusion and Policy Recommendations 72
• 1. Comprehensive Summary 72
• 2. Policy Recommendations 75
• 3. Limitations and Further Studies 81
• References 83
• Appendix 89